Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Bill

Part of the debate – in the Scottish Parliament at on 4 October 2022.

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Photo of George Adam George Adam Scottish National Party

No. Mr Simpson should listen to what I have to say about those people on lower incomes. They generally spend more of their income on housing costs than owner-occupiers do. They experience higher rates of income poverty and child poverty. Economic analysis suggests that additional measures are necessary to protect renters. The measures in the bill are intended to offer protection to tenants in recognition of the particular issues affecting people who rent their home as a result of the cost of living crisis, which, incidentally, was created by the United Kingdom Tory Government.

Given the urgency of the situation and the fact that the rise in fuel costs will have a significant impact on households in the rented sector, we consider that the provisions need to come into force before winter. Our announcement one month before bringing the emergency measures to Parliament ensured that our intentions were well known and allowed time for people to adjust their behaviour.

The proposed changes are needed urgently to ensure that we protect tenants from the disproportionate financial stress that the cost of living crisis has put them under. Any delay could have a terrible impact on our communities and would be devastating for many households throughout Scotland.